On February 24, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The regional organisation of the Belarusian Red Cross Society (BRCS) is establishing a second rapid response team in the Vitebsk region, as reported to BELTA by the chairperson of the Vitebsk regional organisation of BRCS, Galina Zhelanova. The team, comprising volunteers and voluntary helpers, will operate in the Postavy, Braslav and Glubokoye districts within the framework of the "Emergency Response" programme, which is being implemented by the Vitebsk regional organisation of BRCS and the Visaginas Committee of the Lithuanian Red Cross. The team consists of 15 individuals from various professions, including workers, medical professionals, and teachers, united by a selfless desire to help others. Currently, the group is undergoing theoretical training. Meanwhile, their fellow volunteers from the first rapid response team, based in Vitebsk, have been closely cooperating with the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Regional Executive Committee for a year. Together with the Liozno District Department for Emergency Situations, they assisted residents of a village cut off by floodwaters. During the frosty February days, the volunteers participated in a joint campaign with the Internal Affairs Directorate titled "Every Person Matters" and, for nearly three weeks, made daily trips to locations inhabited by homeless individuals, providing them with hot tea, food parcels, and warm clothing. They assisted over 600 homeless people. As Galina Zhelanova noted, the team is being equipped using Red Cross funds: uniforms and personal protective equipment have been purchased, and the team has a tent and a generator for heating, as well as a supply of food parcels. In the spring of this year, the rapid response team volunteers will undergo first aid training at the Vitebsk State University. It is possible that the Vitebsk volunteers will represent Belarus for the first time at the Baltic Rapid Response Team Competition, which will take place in Lithuania this summer. -0-

BELTA